Max Pacioretty inks two-year deal

MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Monday the signing of forward Max Pacioretty to a two-year contract (2011-12 and 2012-13). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Max Pacioretty who is one of the most promising young players in our organization. A power forward with skills, Max showed that he can help our team and make a name for himself in the NHL. We are confident that he will have recovered fully from the injury that kept him out of the line-up for the last month of the regular season and the playoffs,” said Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier.

Pacioretty, 22, completed in 2010-11 his third season with the Canadiens in the NHL. The left winger registered 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 37 games, including seven power-play goals and two game-winners. He served 39 penalty minutes and fired 112 shots on goal, while averaging 15:53 of ice time per game. Pacioretty suffered a season-ending neck injury and a concussion on March 8 against Boston.

"Knowing that I’ve had so long to recover and I’ve done so much to recover and the strength I have in my body, I’m not going to hesitate at all," vowed Pacioretty via conference call from his home in New Canaan, CT. "I know the type of game I have to play to be successful and I’m going to continue to play that way throughout my whole career.

"I think both sides are comfortable with the length of the two-year deal," he added. "We’re very confident I’m going to have a good couple of years here especially with the setup I had this past year in Montreal. I’m hoping to pick up right where I left off, if not better."

Pacioretty had registered 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists) in 27 regular-season games with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs when he was recalled on December 12. He was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for November, collecting 17 points (10 goals, 7 assists) in 13 games.